​         

• Roy J. Akers NFL News and Notes -Below
  
• The Detroit Lions should try to trade for Rams CB Jalen Ramsey (Below)
•  ​The Wolverines Landed One Of The Nations Best From The Transfer Portal (Below)
• B1G Hockey/Basketball News- (B1G/College Pg.) Jan. 10.23
• Our interview with NASCAR driver Chase Briscoe (Motorsports Pg.)
• 2023 KICKOFF AT AMALIE MOTOR OIL NHRA GATORNATIONALS INCLUDES PEP BOYS NHRA TOP FUEL ALL-STAR CALLOUT
• NHRA and World of Outlaw News (Motorsports Pg.)
• ON ICE: PGA GOLFERS VS. RED WINGS Michigan PGA, Detroit Red Wings Alumni to Faceoff for Veterans on Feb. 19 ​​​

The Wolverines Landed One Of The Nations Best From The Transfer Portal

Story by Christopher Breiler • 
In spite of all the off-season dramatics, the Michigan Wolverines have done quite well when it comes to capitalizing on transfer portal targets.

The Wolverines Landed One Of The Nations Best From The Transfer Portal© Provided by Wolverine Digest on FanNationIt's never an easy task trying to replace the best player at their position in all of college football, but hat's exactly what the Michigan Wolverines were tasked with following the 2022 season. 
Center Olu Oluwatimi, a graduate student and transfer from Virginia, had one hell of a year during his single-season with the University of Michigan. Not only did he start all 14 games for the Wolverines, he became just the third center in Michigan Football history to capture the coveted Rimington Award - an annual award given to the nations best center. 
With Oluwatimi now headed to the NFL Draft, a big question during the early off-season was who would replace such a critical piece to the offensive line. As it turns out, Michigan may have found a big answer in the transfer portal by landing Drake Nugent.  The 6-1, 300-pound center, formerly with Stanford, was one of the top-ten highest-rated centers in all of college football during the 2022 season, according to PFF College. 
Interestingly enough, Nugent (80.5) actually received a higher grade than Michigan's Oluwatimi (79.9).
Over the last two seasons, Nugent started 24 games for the Stanford Cardinal and brings more colligate experience at that position than anyone currently on Michigan's roster. With veteran linemen like Zak Zinter, Trevor Keegan and Karsen Barnhart all returning in 2023, Nugent could serve as a critical piece in what will likely be the nations best offensive line for the third straight year. 

NCAA makes change to college football transfer portal

Story by James Parks •
The transfer portal has forever changed college football and how schools create their rosters, and now the NCAA has brought in another new change.

While players going into the portal for the first time will still be able to get immediate eligibility at their next school, the NCAA is trying to stop players from entering the transfer portal multiple times.
What's new: The NCAA Division I Council approved legislation to limit waivers for second-time transfer players. Now, any undergraduates who transfer a second time, or any other time after that, must meet specific guidelines in order to be eligible for immediate playing time starting with the 2023-24 season or risk sitting out a year between transfers.
With exceptions: Under the new rule, players can still get immediate eligibility at their next school if they are transferring due to a physical injury or mental health concern.
Exigent circumstances: And the NCAA will also consider "exigent circumstances" like abuse or sexual assault, but will not consider academic or athletic reasons, like being unsatisfied with playing time on their team.

• In recent years, the NCAA has granted waivers for immediate eligibility for football, basketball, and baseball transfers, but will now recommend against that for players who have transferred once during their college careers.

Why the change: The NCAA wants to rein in the number of players using the transfer portal, a figure that has exceeded 2,000 just in the first transfer window after the 2022 college football season. Of those, at least 120 are quarterbacks.
The rule in action: As an example, this new rule would have affected the career trajectory of quarterback JT Daniels. The former 5-star played at USC (2018-19) then at Georgia (2020-21) and then West Virginia (2022) before moving to Rice. Had this rule been in place, Daniels would have needed to graduate between each of his other two transfers or sit out and use up a year of eligibility.
Undergrads only: The new rule applies only to undergraduates and not graduates, who are still eligible to play immediately should they transfer.

Lions' Jameson Williams isn't 'remotely close to where he's going to go'

Story by Will Burchfield 
Jameson Williams caught one pass in his first season with the Lions: a 41-yard touchdown. He caught another for a 66-yard touchdown that was wiped out by a penalty on the offensive line. And he turned one rush into a 40-yard gain. When the Lions got the ball in his hands, Williams looked every bit like the big-play receiver they drafted 12th overall.
"A little bit of what you saw, I don’t think that’s really anywhere close to where this kid’s going to go," GM Brad Holmes said Tuesday. "I mean, he made some big plays and had some flashes, but the other thing about Jameson, he’s just a football player, man. ... That dude just wants to be out there on the field."
Williams didn't get on the field for the Lions until Week 13 after tearing his ACL in the national championship last season at Alabama. When he did, his speed made him hard to miss -- and maybe even harder to spot. Williams moves in a blur. He runs as if powered by a jetpack, faster and more fluid than the players around him. At top gear, his legs are on fast-forward and his feet almost float.
After his first NFL catch went for a touchdown against the Vikings, Williams said he wasn't surprised: he's eyeing the end zone on every play. He was smiling when he ripped down the Bears' sideline after taking a reverse in Week 17, the rush of outracing defenders. And when he turned the corner and left the Packers defense in the dust in the season finale, Williams looked like a cheat code. The NFC North is just getting to know him.
So is Jared Goff.
"He’s a special talent," Goff said Tuesday on 97.1 The Ticket. "I kind of laugh about it, the times we were able to get the ball in his hands, it’s pretty funny, he scored on two of them and had a nice reverse for about 45 yards. So how often can we get the ball in his hands will be a key for us. He’s a tremendous player and a guy that we all believe in. The sky’s the limit for him."
Williams didn't get many practice reps with Goff before his debut. This was part of the reason they were slightly out of sync as the Lions tried to work the rookie into the offense down the stretch. Goff has said that Williams is unlike any receiver he's ever thrown to, almost like a snake "in the way he kind of slithers down the field." That took some time for the quarterback to get used to. Their adjustment period should be over by next season, especially with the benefit of an offseason program and training camp.
"I'm excited to get in OTA’s with him, get some time on the field with him and really get to know each other more on the field," said Goff. "And excited to continue to play with him. He’s a hell of a player."
Williams is not just a deep threat, though he can certainly stretch a defense. He's dangerous wherever he gets the ball in stride. Goff threw just behind him on a slant against the Bears that Williams might have taken to the house had the pass arrived on time. Williams also could have done a better job adjusting to the throw, which ricocheted off his hands. These are the miscues they should eliminate next season. For Williams, the next several months will be key.
"He’s going to have to put the work in this offseason, he’s going to have to be dedicated in his approach," said Holmes. "We can provide all the resources and lay it all out, but he’s going to have to take the accountability and do it on his own. But I’ve got a lot of faith and confidence in Jameson. And obviously because we traded up and made the move for him, we all have the same belief."
This season was a test drive for Williams and the Lions. There was no rushing him out of the garage. He ran 37 routes and saw nine targets over six games, and revved his engine for the NFC North. Most importantly, he got his knee back to 100 percent. He'll enter next season as a focal point of Detroit's offense, ready to step on the pedal in the motor city.
"I don’t think anything he did this year is anywhere remotely close to where he’s going to go," said Holmes.

Georgia dominates TCU in college football championship game to complete repeat national title

Story by Paul Myerberg, USA TODAY • 

INGLEWOOD, Calif. — Georgia beat TCU 65-7 in the College Football Playoff championship game to secure the program's first unbeaten season since 1980 and a place in history as back-to-back national champions.

By taking care of the Horned Frogs as roughly two-touchdown favorites, the Bulldogs arguably replace Alabama as the dominant figure in the Bowl Subdivision. And in becoming the first program in the playoff era to claim two championships in a row, Georgia establishes a dynasty that shows no sign of slowing under coach Kirby Smart.

Jan 9, 2023; Inglewood, CA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Stetson Bennett (13) kisses the trophy after winning the CFP national championship game against the TCU Horned Frogs at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports© Mark J. Rebilas, Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY SportsThe first team in playoff history to score 17 points in the first quarter and ahead 38-7 at halftime, the Bulldogs' edge in speed and depth were on display from the game's first snaps. Georgia had 354 yards of offense in the first half, scored points on its first six possessions and didn't punt until the third quarter.
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After watching Michigan try and fail to run right at the TCU defense in the Fiesta Bowl, the offense went sideline to sideline and opened things up for quarterback Stetson Bennett, who completed 18 of 25 attempts for 304 yards and four touchdowns and was named the MVP in the final game of his college career.
Torched by LSU in the SEC championship game and Ohio State in the Peach Bowl, the Bulldogs' defense bottled up Max Duggan and Horned Frogs, allowing just 188 yards on 3.7 yards per play with three takeaways.
This was a complete performance to cap a memorable season. Here are three observations from the Bulldogs' win:
Georgia books a place in college football historyThe list of programs with back-to-back unshared national championships since 1957 has a new member: Nebraska in 1994-95, Alabama in 2011-12 and now Georgia in 2021-22.
And unlike those Cornhuskers and Crimson Tide, the Bulldogs did so under the playoff format, requiring wins against two of the best teams in the country in just over a one-week span.
This burgeoning dynasty may not have an expiration date. This year's group answered questions about Georgia's staying power after seamlessly replacing a long list of starters from last year's team, including many of the top contributors on the defensive side.
The third team in the playoff era to go 15-0, Georgia won just two games by single digits — Missouri (26-22) on Oct. 1 and Ohio State (42-41) — and beat five ranked teams, beginning with a 49-3 destruction of the Oregon in the opener that set the tone for a dominant regular season.
Even if not seen as the best individual team under the playoff format, a designation given to 2019 LSU or 2020 Alabama, what the Bulldogs have done across the past two seasons cannot be ignored or overstated.
Next year’s team will likely open the year at No. 1 in the USA TODAY Sports AFCA Coaches Poll and be the preseason favorite to return to this stage and win the national championship. This is history in the making, and Georgia isn't going anywhere.
Offense leads the way and shows that this Georgia team could do it allNearly everything went right for the Georgia offense.
Bennett was kept clean in the pocket. TCU failed to manage a tackle for loss or sack. He was a weapon in the running game, adding 39 yards and two scores on 13 yards per carry. The ground attack as a whole imposed its on will on the Frogs, racking up 254 yards on 5.8 yards per carry. 
The offense continued to lean on a wealth of skill players. Eight players ran for at least 14 yards, led by Kenny McIntosh's 50 yards on eight carries, and nine players made at least one reception, topped by tight end Brock Bowers' seven grabs for 152 yards.
That continued a season-long trend of relying on multiple contributors at running back and wide receiver to take full advantage of Georgia's overwhelming collection of talent.
Georgia's defense was outstanding during the regular season, allowing just 11.3 points per game during the 12-0 start and ranking near the top of the FBS in yards allowed per game and per play. But on this stage, the Bulldogs' offense did much of the heavy lifting against two of the best teams in the FBS.
TCU won't soon be forgottenThe TK-point loss ends one of the magical runs in FBS history: TCU was picked to finish seventh in the preseason Big 12 poll but came with a win of the championship, in a rags-to-riches run that put the program on the national map.
Just getting to this point breathed life into what had become a predictable playoff race owned by the same power programs from the ACC, SEC and Big Ten. The Frogs' season brings credibility to the Big 12 and shows the transformative power of the transfer portal — after winning just five games in 2021, TCU added immediate-impact contributors and remade the roster in a single offseason under new coach Sonny Dykes.
The Frogs' Cinderella story ended with a thud against Georgia, displaying the huge distance separating teams that can compete for the title, such as TCU, and those elite few with the talent, coaching and development to win the whole thing.
But the legacy will last well beyond Monday night. TCU proved that there's room for an outsider to crash the playoff party. The Frogs showed how being unique on offense and defense — with the Air Raid on one side and an unpredictable 3-3-5 base set on the other — can help overcome gaps in depth and experience.
Most of all, TCU will allow other Power Five teams to dream big. The Frogs went from 5-7 to the doorstep of the national title. If they can do it, so can others.
Georgia quarterback Stetson Bennett kisses the trophy after winning the CFP national championship game.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Georgia dominates TCU in college football championship game to complete repeat national title

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ON ICE: PGA GOLFERS VS. RED WINGS Michigan PGA, Detroit Red Wings Alumni 

 DETROIT – The golfers of the Michigan Section PGA, with the help of the Detroit Red Wings Alumni Association (DRWAA), plan to demonstrate golfers can play hockey and help armed service veterans in the process when they present the Michigan PGA Red Wings Alumni Game on Sunday, Feb. 19, at the Belfor Training Center at Little Caesars Arena.
  The goal of the Michigan PGA and Red Wing Alumni partnership is to raise funds for a trio of veterans service organizations that help Michigan veterans – PGA HOPE (Helping our Patriots Everywhere), the Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program and Folds of Honor.
  The 3 p.m. game with two 30-minute run-time periods will feature a team of Michigan PGA golfer/hockey players taking on the Red Wings Alumni.  Scheduled to appear:  Mickey Redmond, Dino Ciccarelli, Larry Murphy, Darren McCarty, Joe Kocur, Todd Bertuzzi, John Ogrodnick, Ed Mio and Derian Hatcher.
  Vladimir “Vlady” Konstantinov, part of the famous Russian Five that helped the Red Wings win the 1997 Stanley Cup, will be dropping the puck in the ceremonial start to the game.
  The PGA players and their coaches are raising a minimum of $500 each for the veteran’s groups with a goal of raising over $50,000.  Sponsorship opportunities for the event are available to purchase. Spectator tickets are not being sold due to limited seating and parking. Learn more at michiganpga.com.
  George Bowman, the PGA Head Golf Professional at Oakhurst Golf & Country Club in Clarkston, is also the secretary for the DRWAA and is leading the partnership effort for the game.
  “Hockey players want to be golfers and this game will show you that some golf professionals made a successful transition from hockey to golf while helping veterans all at the same time,” Bowman said. “I know I transitioned to golf because golf courses/equipment smell better.”
   Bowman will play with the PGA professionals, which will have a team that also includes former NHL player Dean Kolstad, the current president of the Michigan PGA Section and Director of Golf at Gull Lake View Golf Club & Resort near Kalamazoo.
  John Lindert, the current President of the PGA of America and the PGA Director of Golf at Country Club of Lansing, will serve as a coach for the Michigan PGA team. Several members of the Michigan PGA squad have collegiate, club, and even professional hockey experience like Brandon Scero of Salem Hills Golf Club and Matt Morin of Orchard Lake Country Club.
  “The Red Wings are the stars on ice and they do it for fun and to help groups raise money for charitable causes,” Bowman said. “The PGA players are the ones raising the money in this effort and getting to do something they still love – playing hockey.”

GM Brad Holmes earns rave reviews for Lions' turnaround

Story by Michael Gallagher,
​While it’s no surprise that Philadelphia’s Howie Roseman and San Francisco’s John Lynch are presumed front-runners for NFL General Manager of the Year, the job Brad Holmes has done with the Detroit Lions shouldn’t be overlooked.

Lions GM Brad Holmes.© Kirthmon F. Dozier / USA TODAY NETWORKIn a recent column for The Athletic, national NFL writer Mike Jones named Holmes as one of six GMs whose stock is on the rise.
“He flipped Matthew Stafford in 2021 for Jared Goff, two first-round picks and a third, and now Goff (top 10 in passing) looks like he could be more than just a short-term bridge,” Jones said. “Meanwhile, smart draft selections are paying off. Rookies Aidan Hutchinson, Malcolm Rodriguez, James Houston and Kerby Joseph are making key contributions, as are picks from last year’s draft. Holmes acquired more draft capital by trading tight end T.J. Hockenson to Minnesota. As the young talent has rounded into form, the Lions have scratched and clawed their way back from 1-6 to force their way into the wild card race at 7-8."
With two solid draft classes and some crafty free-agent signings, Holmes’ roster construction is already bearing fruit.
Jared Goff, Dan Campbell confident Lions can win out and finish regular season strong

Detroit jumped from the No. 22 total offense in 2021 to the No. 4 offense this season while seeing a scoring bump of seven points per game and transforming the Lions from a three-win team to a seven-win team.
The Lions are primed for a strong offseason in 2023 with four selections in the first two rounds of the NFL Draft, including two first-round picks — one of which could potentially be in the top 10 — and approximately $28.6 million in cap space, according to Spotrac.

Story by Will Burchfield 
In the words of Scott Harris, the Tigers' "main priority this offseason is to reshape our offensive identity."

Tigers trade Jimenez to Braves for a bat they couldn't 'pass up on'© Provided by WXYT Radio Detroit"And this," said Harris after making some last-minute noise at the Winter Meetings, "is a step in that direction."
After a quiet week in San Diego, the Tigers traded reliever Joe Jimenez to the Braves Wednesday night for third baseman/outfielder Justyn-Henry Malloy and left-handed reliever Jake Higginbotham. Malloy is the prize of the return, the top position player prospect in the Braves organization, per Baseball America, and an attractive 22-year-old hitter who could be in Detroit by next season.
"I certainly wouldn't rule it out," Harris said.
Drafted out of Georgia Tech in 2021, Malloy jumped from High-A to Triple-A last season on the strength of his bat. He hit .289 with an .862 OPS in 133 games and led all Braves minor leaguers in on-base percentage and walks. From the moment he arrived as president of baseball operations in September, Harris has emphasized the need for the Tigers to "control the strike zone."
Malloy can help them do that.
"He embodies a lot of the things that we really value in hitters," Harris said shortly after completing the trade. "He controls the strike zone, he has plus bat-to-ball skills, he does damage to all fields and he raked at three different levels this year, plus the Arizona Fall League. Adding him to our collection of position players in the upper levels makes me really excited about future."

Erik Jones has shown the King he can compete at the track that is too tough to tame

It was a race too late for Erik Jones.
 
     Jones has run well this year in NASCAR for the Richard Petty Enterprises team. Race 27 is the first race of the NASCAR playoffs. A win anywhere in the first 26, and Jones would have made the playoffs and his Darlington win would have locked up advancement to the second round of the NASCAR playoffs.
 
  With the 16 driver NASCAR playoffs set after Daytona, Jones was running for 2023 and to impress a variety of people. First, Richard Petty himself. After being dumped by Joe Gibbs in 2020 and seeing his replacement Christopher Bell have immediate success, Jones was teetering on the fence between Dead Man Walking and finding success for the most iconic driver in NASCAR history. Richard Petty, the driver, arguably, the GOAT. Richard Petty, the owner, not so much.
 
That’s where Jones found himself in 2021. He had a handful of top finishes (six top tens and nine total laps led) and it appeared he would have his contract renewed. Still, it was late into silly season before Jones was brought back in 2022.
 
The 2022 season for Jones was successful before Darlington. He had 11- top tens this season, but still, Jones contract for 2023 was not settled until just before the August race at Michigan. Jones has the talent, but the Petty GMS Motorsports organization has not won since 2014. It appeared the teetering fence of cat and mouse between Petty and Jones would continue, but Richard Petty, (a three- time winner at Darlington found a super match with Jones. Jones runs well at Darlington. His two wins after the Labor Day race, four top five's in the last eight times he has run at Darlington.
 
Back in the day, Bobby Unser from Indy Car fame used to always talk about racing luck. Heck, it's true. For every race a driver wins by being in a dominating car, the other half of the races are won by fuel milage, wreck survival and winning with a driver/crew manager strategy that pays off in the end. For Jones, he ran well all night and watched the engines of Martin Truex Jr. and Kyle Busch expire and then showed his racing chops out dueling Denny Hamlin. There is nothing wrong with that.
 
For Jones, this win was right on time. He has always believed it, now Richard Petty needs to extend his contract beyond 2023 before Jones looks elsewhere. 

Are the Rockets still flaring for Rocket Mortgage Classic?

The Rocket Mortgage is a well-run tournament. 
They think of about everything. A nice souvenir tent by the main gate. Sure. 
A 3-1-3 celebrity tournament that is as good as any on the PGA Tour. 
The John Shippen Tournament largely reaches African American golfers both male and female who have game with exceptions into LPGA events and this event. The Wifi initiative is also a great touch. 
So, where is everyone? 
The weather was perfect. The volunteers are great. The golf was terrific. 

   Where the rubber meets the road is the PGA Tour has a big problem. About 15 of the world's top 50 have went to the LIV, and many of those players have played in one of the first three editions of this tournament and do many do drive ticket sales. In 2019, Bryson DeChambeau won the second Rocket tournament. But many are gone. Patrick Reed, Dustin Johnson, Luis Oosthuisen, Phil Mickelson, DeChambeau and several more who have played in at least one event, are no longer playing or are banned by orders of the commissioner. 
Now, Warwick Hills and the old Buick Open, drew huge crowds. They also did not have deluded fields. They also had Tiger Woods show up most years. Heck, Tiger won the event four times.

For me, it was noticeable that there were far less people at this event than the first event in 2018. The tournament staff is selling tickets all year long. Detroit, it's time to step up. This is one event that plenty of cities would like to have. Just ask the Washington D.C. area. The Rocket Mortgage organizers sponsored this tournament in D.C. in 2017 with the intent of bringing the event here. Just saying. 

Michigan and Minnesota Collect Three Stars Awards Wolverines’ Hughes and Fantilli, along with Gophers’ Snuggerud capture weekly honors

ROSEMONT, Ill. – The Big Ten Conference has announced its Three Stars of the Week winners for games played Jan. 27-28.
 
First Star
Luke Hughes, Michigan
So. – D – Canton, Mich. – U.S. National Team Development Program

• Provided offensive firepower with seven points as No. 7/7 Michigan swept No. 6/6 Penn State in Ann Arbor over the weekend (Jan. 27-28)
• Recorded five goals and two assists along with 13 shots and three blocked shots
• Scored four goals to help the Wolverines rally from a 3-0 deficit for a 5-4 win on Jan. 28
• Collects his second weekly honor of the season and the fourth of his career
• Last Michigan First Star honoree: Luke Hughes on Nov. 1, 2022
• Last Michigan honoree: Erik Portillo (Second Star) on Dec. 13, 2022

Second Star
Jimmy Snuggerud, Minnesota
Fr. – F – Chaska, Minn. – Chaska

• Compiled three goals, three assists and a plus-six rating to help No. 2/2 Minnesota to a sweep of No. 15/15 Michigan State on Jan. 27-28
• Recorded his 13th multiple-point game this season and continues to lead the conference in scoring with 26 points
• Tabbed No. 1 Star in Minnesota’s 6-3 win over the Spartans in the series finale
• Claims his second Big Ten weekly award of the season
• Last Minnesota honoree: Jackson LaCombe (First Star) on Jan. 24, 2023

 
Third Star
Adam Fantilli, Michigan
Fr. – F – Nobelton, Ontario – Chicago (USHL)

• Produced a six-point weekend with two goals and four assists in helping No. 7/7 Michigan to its first conference sweep of the season
• Scored twice in Michigan’s 7-3 win over No. 6/6 Penn State on Jan. 27 and provided two assists in the Wolverines’ 5-4 come-from-behind victory on Jan. 28
• Leads the NCAA in scoring, averaging 1.82 points over 22 contests
• Secures his second weekly award of the season
• Last Michigan selection: Erik Portillo (Second Star) on Dec. 13, 2022

Big Ten basketball coaches will join their colleagues across the country in participating in the Coaches vs. Cancer Suits & Sneakers Week (Jan. 23-29). This is a nationwide event created to raise funds and awareness about the fight against cancer and promotes the American Cancer Society as a source of inspiration and hope for those facing cancer. Since the CvC program began in 1993, college and high school coaches have raised more than $140 million in the fight against cancer.
·       Two games fill the Big Ten schedule tonight, beginning at 6:30 p.m., when Rutgers puts its 11-2 home record on the line against Penn State (BTN). At 7 p.m., Illinois will play host to Ohio State, with both teams looking to climb the Big Ten standings (ESPN).
·       Penn State and Rutgers meet for the 80th time in program history Tuesday night, with the Nittany Lions owning a 45-34 advantage in the all-time series, including wins in four of the last six contests. The teams split their two meetings last season, each winning on its home floor. Sam Sessom’s 17 points off the bench led four Nittany Lions in in double figure scoring, as Penn State scored a 66-49 home win in mid-January. In the return game, Penn State erased a 15-point second half deficit and missed a game-winning shot attempt, as Rutgers escaped with a 59-58 victory. Seven Scarlet Knights scored at least six points in the victory, led by Ron Harper Jr.’s 15 points.
·       The Nittany Lions are one of four teams in the country with five 1,000-point scorers on their 2022-23 roster - Myles Dread (1,022 points), Andrew Funk (1,477 points), Seth Lundy (1,022 points), Jalen Pickett (1,882 points) and Camren Wynter (1,826 points). San Diego, UAB and Missouri are the only three other teams that have five active 1,000-point scorers on their 2022-23 rosters.
·       Points have been tough to come by against Rutgers, as the Scarlet Knights are currently fifth in the nation and lead the Big Ten in scoring defense, holding opponents to just 57.6 points per game. RU has held 18 of its 19 opponents to date under their scoring average entering the game. The only team to reach its scoring average was Michigan State, who bettered its season average by just 0.3 points. In 13 games on its home floor, Rutgers is allowing just 53.2 points and has surrendered 60 points just three times.
·       Tonight will mark the 190th meeting all-time between the Buckeyes and Illini, with Illinois leading the series 108-81 but the Buckeyes have won four of the last five meetings in Champaign. In last season’s lone meeting, Ohio State opened the second half with a 16-2 run to seize control of the action, but Illinois made a late rally. The Illini nearly eliminated a 12-point deficit in the game’s final 3:31 before falling 86-83. The trio of Malaki Branham, E.J. Lindell and Kyle Young combined for 70 points in the win, while Alfonso Plummer’s 26 points paced five Illini players with double digit points.
·       Despite its recent losing streak, Ohio State remains one of the Big Ten’s most efficient offenses.  The Buckeyes rank second in the lead with a .472 field goal percentage, while its .387 three-point field goal percentage also lists second in the league and 15th in the country. Ohio State’s 77.8 points per game are good for third in the conference, as are its 22.74 bench points per game.   
·       Illinois has scored at least 75 points in each of its four Big Ten wins, averaging 77.0 points while holding opponents to 61.3 points in those four games. Illinois has not topped 66 points in any of its four Big Ten losses, averaging 62.5 points while allowing opponents to score 74.5 points in those four games. The Illini are shooting 47 percent from the field and 35.4 percent from three- point range in those wins, while connecting on just 41.7 percent from the floor and 31.1 percent beyond the arc in the losses. 
·       In Monday’s only contest, Northwestern scored a tight 66-63 win over Wisconsin. The game featured 34 lead changes and 22 ties, as neither team led by more than four points in the second half.  A Brooks Barnhizer lay-up gave the ‘Cats a 62-61 lead with 2:52 to play, which marked the game’s final field goal. Northwestern converted on 4-5 free throw attempts over the game’s final minutes, while the Badgers missed their final six field goal attempts. Boo Buie scored a game-high 20 points, while chase Audige added 16 points for Northwestern. All five Wisconsin starters scored north of eight points, led by Jordan Davis’s 15 points.
·       Purdue made its return to the top of both the AP and USA Today polls this week, marking the Boilermakers’ fifth week of the season ranked at No. 1. While Purdue finds itself as the Big Ten’s lone representative in the polls, five teams received votes on both lists. Indiana, Illinois, Michigan State, Rutgers, and Wisconsin all find themselves in the conversation to regain places in the polls.
·       Eleven of the 14 Big Ten programs rank in the top 66 of today’s NCAA NET rankings, including six in the top 40: Purdue (#4), Rutgers (#22), Indiana (#19), Ohio State (#24), Illinois (#28),  and Iowa (#39). Purdue leads the nation with seven Quad 1 wins. The Big Ten also leads the country with 67 Quad 1 and 2 wins (ACC - 54, Big 12 - 59, Big East - 43, PAC 12 - 51, SEC - 56). Thirteen of the league’s 14 teams also have at least one Quad 1 win and at least 1 Quad 2 win.
·       Through games on Jan. 23, 11 of the Big Ten 14 teams rank in the top 60 in the latest KenPom rankings, including nine in the top 40. Purdue leads the way at #5 followed by Ohio State (#19), Rutgers (#20), Indiana (#21), and Illinois (#29). The Big 12 has nine teams in the top 60, one more than the SEC and two more than the PAC 12 and ACC. The Big East checks in with five entrants.
·       Nebraska enters this week with the nation’s best NET Strength of Schedule ranking to lead six Big Ten teams in the top 20: #6 Michigan State, #17 Wisconsin, #12 Maryland, #16 Iowa, and #19 Indiana. In total, 12 Big Ten teams rank in the top 50, most of any conference in the country. The Big 12 has 10 teams in the top 50, one more than the SEC. The Big East and PAC 12 have seven and six entrants, respectively, while the ACC checks in with four.
·       Some of the nation’s top defensive units are on display each time a Big Ten team takes the court. Four Big Ten teams rank in the NCAA’s top 35 in scoring defense, while 11 hold their opponents at or below 42.0% field goal shooting. The shooting percentages stay low beyond the three-point line, as all 14 teams hold their opponents below 35.0% from three-point range, while eight clubs block at least 4.0 shots per game.
·       Six Big Ten teams also rank among the nation’s leaders in taking care of the ball. Penn State leads the country, committing just 8.8 turnovers per game. Wisconsin’s 9.0 turnovers rank second, while Michigan lists ninth with 10.1 miscues. Iowa (11th - 10.3) and Northwestern (13th - 10.4) also list in the top 15.  Iowa and Penn State also rank second and fourth in the nation, respectively, with 1.66 and 1.65 assist-to-turnover ratios.
·       Entering this week’s games, ten Big Ten teams rank in the top 30 in average home attendance, including five who are listed in the top 20. Indiana (#8), Purdue (#9), Illinois (#10), Michigan State (#11), and Wisconsin (#12) join Maryland (#20). More than 170,000 fans have watched the Hoosiers this season, ranking sixth in the NCAA in total home fans. In total, nearly 2.8 million fans have enjoyed Big Ten men’s basketball live this season.
·       Big Ten teams closed the nonconference portion of the 2022-23 campaign with a 115-37 (.757-win percentage) record. The conference ranked second in the nation in nonconference win percentage, behind the Big 12 (.840/110-19) and second in wins behind the SEC (130-42).

PROFESSIONAL BOWLERS ASSOCIATION ANNOUNCES 2023 PBA ON FOX SCHEDULE

Richmond, VA - November 1, 2022 - Major championships are the focus of the 2023 Guaranteed Rate PBA Tour on FOX season. For the first time in PBA Tour history, all five majors will air live on network television, beginning with the U.S. Open on FOX Broadcast Channel in February. The PBA Tournament of Champions, PBA World Championship, USBC Masters and PBA Players Championship will also air live on FOX throughout the season.
 
All 2023 major champions will be entered into the PBA Super Slam Cup, which will air live on FOX in May. Plus, all majors and the Super Slam Cup will feature additional live televised coverage of match play rounds prior to the championship finals.
 
Jason Belmonte, a six-time PBA Player of the Year and candidate for a record-tying seventh award in 2022, holds the all-time record with 14 major championships and is one of just two players, along with Mike Aulby, to complete the Super Slam of all five majors in his career. Belmonte will have the opportunity at the U.S. Open to become the first player ever to complete the Super Slam twice.

In addition to the majors, the PBA on FOX schedule will feature World Series of Bowling XIV, including three animal-pattern events (Cheetah, Scorpion and Shark) and the return of USA vs. The World in addition to the PBA World Championship, the third major of the season.

Special events airing in 2023 include the Go Bowling! PBA Celebrity Event, PBA Jr. National Championship, PBA Collegiate National Championship, and the PBA League Bowler Certification National Championships Clash.

The PBA Elite League will compete in late September at Bayside Bowl in Portland, Maine in which eight hours of live coverage on FS1 will showcase the quarterfinals, semifinals and finals of the Elias Cup playoffs.
 
The full PBA Tour season will also feature seven additional title events in seven different markets, which will be streamed or broadcast.

The PBA welcomes back Guaranteed Rate, one of the top five retail mortgage lenders in the United States, and Pabst Blue Ribbon, an American lager beer sold by Pabst Brewing Company as returning partners of the PBA Tour, as well as welcoming a returning partner in Go Bowling!
 
Stay up to date on the Guaranteed Rate PBA Tour by visiting pba.com/pba-tour and following @pbatour.

2023 PBA on FOX Schedule

U.S. Open presented by Go Bowling! - Royal Pin Woodland in Indianapolis, Indiana
Saturday, Feb. 4 at 4 p.m. ET LIVE on FS1 – Match play
Sunday, Feb. 5 at 2 p.m. ET LIVE on FOX – Finals

PBA Collegiate Championship - Royal Pin Woodland in Indianapolis, Indiana
Sunday, Feb. 19 at 1 p.m. ET on FS1

Go Bowling! PBA Celebrity Event - TBA in Phoenix, Arizona
Sunday, Mar. 12 at 12 p.m. ET on FS1

PBA Tournament of Champions - AMF Riviera in Fairlawn, Ohio
Friday, Mar. 17 at 10 p.m. ET LIVE on FS1– Match play
Saturday, Mar. 18 at 7:30 p.m. ET LIVE on FS1 – Match play
Saturday, Mar. 18 at 9:30 p.m. ET LIVE on FS1 – Match play
Sunday, Mar. 19 at noon ET LIVE on FOX - Finals

PBA Jr. National Championship - AMF Riviera in Fairlawn, Ohio
Saturday, Mar. 25 at 7:30 p.m. ET on FS1

USBC Masters - Thunderbowl in Detroit, Michigan
Friday, Mar. 31 at 7 p.m. LIVE on FS1 – Match play
Sunday, Apr. 2 at 1 p.m. ET LIVE on FOX - Finals

Guaranteed Rate PBA World Series of Bowling XIV - Bowlero Wauwatosa in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin
Saturday, Apr. 15 at 2 p.m. ET LIVE on FS1 – USA vs. The World match play
Sunday, Apr. 16 at noon ET LIVE on FS1 – USA vs. The World finals
Monday, Apr. 17 at 7 p.m. ET LIVE on FS1 – PBA Cheetah Championship finals
Tuesday, Apr. 18 at 7 p.m. ET LIVE on FS1 – PBA Scorpion Championship finals
Wednesday, Apr. 19 at 7 p.m. ET LIVE on FS1 – PBA Shark Championship finals
Sunday, Apr. 23 at noon ET LIVE on FOX – PBA World Championship finals presented by Pabst Blue Ribbon

PBA Players Championship - Bowlero North Brunswick in North Brunswick, New Jersey
Saturday, May 6 at 10:30 p.m. ET LIVE on FS1 – Match play
Sunday, May 7 at noon ET LIVE on FS1 – Match play
Sunday, May 7 at 9:30 p.m. ET LIVE on FS1 – Match play
Saturday, May 13 at 12:30 p.m. ET LIVE on FS1 – Semifinals
Sunday, May 14 at 1 p.m. ET LIVE on FOX – Finals

PBA Super Slam Cup - Bowlero Jupiter in Jupiter, Florida
Saturday, May 20 at 2 p.m. ET LIVE on FS1 – Prelims
Sunday, May 21 at 3 p.m. ET LIVE on FOX – Finals
PBA League Elias Cup Playoffs presented by Pabst Blue Ribbon - Bayside Bowl in Portland, Maine
Sunday, Sept. 24 at 8 p.m. ET LIVE on FS1 – Quarterfinals
Monday, Sept. 25 at 8 p.m. ET LIVE on FS1 – Quarterfinals
Tuesday, Sept. 26 at 8 p.m. ET LIVE on FS1 – Semifinals
Wednesday, Sept. 27 at 8 p.m. ET LIVE on FS1 – Elias Cup Finals

Jimmie Johnson to retire from full-time racing

​By Jenna Fryer, Associated Press
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Seven-time NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson is retiring from full-time racing and will turn his focus toward spending time with family.
He figures his future schedule will include no more than 10 bucket-list events, but the 47-year-old had no idea Monday what that will look like in 2023.
Johnson told The Associated Press he was excited to announce “I've got a blank sheet of paper, and we can now see what opportunities exist and start making a calendar.” Carvana has already told Johnson it will back whatever racing he pursues.
Johnson took two weeks from the IndyCar finale — with a weekend spent in England with Ganassi teammates Scott Dixon and Dario Franchitti at the Goodwood Revival — before finalizing his decision to scale back. He told the AP he didn't really need the time to ponder his future.
“It's been an interesting process to feel so fulfilled with the experience and then also try to make a decision,” Johnson said. “In the big scheme of things, there is so much life-planning going on with the kids. We've always had an idea of trying to live abroad for a year or two. We love Colorado and want to spend more time there, and there's just so much swirling personally and professionally that I just wanted to take some time and make the decision not on the back of a positive or negative experience on the racetrack.”
So what is Johnson, who retired from NASCAR in 2020, thinking?
LE MANS
The 24 Hours of Le Mans would be part of the NASCAR and Hendrick Motorsports special “Garage 56” entry. Johnson has said from the start he wants to be part of the three-driver Le Mans lineup, even though its an exhibition for the Next Gen and the car will be alone in its class.
He'd been awaiting the 2023 IndyCar schedule to see if he'd even be available, but will ensure his schedule is clear should NASCAR want its future Hall of Famer to be part of the project.
INDYCAR
Johnson for sure won't return for a second full IndyCar season with Chip Ganassi Racing. He raced only the street and road courses in 2021, added the ovals to run the full 2022 season and now isn't even sure if he'll run IndyCar at all.
“We are fully supportive of Jimmie. He has been a valued member of our team and if we can find a way to continue working together, we would like to do so," said team owner Ganassi, who told AP he'd like to run four full-time cars. Now that Johnson has made up his mind not to drive a full season in the No. 48, Ganassi is figuring out how to keep that entry on track.
Johnson struggled on the street and road courses over two seasons, with his best performances on ovals — the discipline he dominated for nearly two decades in NASCAR. He finished an IndyCar-best fifth at Iowa, and although he ultimately crashed out of his Indianapolis 500 debut, Johnson turned laps at over 240 mph in a dazzling qualifying performance.
“I do have a desire to go back, it's just at this point, I know what's required to do a full schedule, and I don't have that in me,” Johnson told AP. “I don't have that passion that I need for myself to commit myself to a full season.”
BIG IDEA
Johnson has said since his 2020 NASCAR retirement that he'd race again in the series in the right opportunity, and is now entertaining the idea of doing “The Double” — the Indianapolis 500 and Coca-Cola 600 on the same day.
Kurt Busch was the last driver to attempt the 1,100-mile, two-state odyssey in 2014. Busch fell 200 miles shy of completing it when his engine failed in the NASCAR closer. Tony Stewart, who twice attempted both races, is the only driver to complete all 1,100 miles. John Andretti and Robby Gordon both made attempts before Busch.
Johnson would like to give it a try: He won the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway four times, including three consecutive victories from 2003-2005.
“You know me and endurance sports, and the double sounds awesome,” Johnson told AP. “I've always had this respect for the guys who have done the double. I would say it is more of a respect thing than a bucket-list item, and I'd love to put some energy into that idea and see if I can pull it off.”
The other NASCAR events that's have caught his attention? Next year's inaugural race through the downtown streets of Chicago and the All-Star race at North Wilkesboro. Johnson noted as a past winner, he's got an exemption into both the All-Star race and the exhibition season-opening Clash at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. However, the 2022 NASCAR rules state a driver must be competing full-time to race in the all-star race.
WHAT ELSE?
The future in sports car racing is an unknown for Johnson after this weekend's IMSA season-ending Petit Le Mans. He's spent the last two seasons running the endurance races in a joint entry with Hendrick and Action Express, but does not expect enough inventory next year when IMSA adopts new cars for Johnson's project to continue.
He told AP he would consider racing in a lower IMSA category, such as LMP2, and is even curious about the six-race World Endurance Championship. But the WEC Series intrigues him because of its exotic locales — Monza, Italy, Fuji Speedway in Japan, Bahrain — and the love of international travel he shares with his wife and two young daughters.
He and Chani Johnson have explored enrolling their girls in school in either England or France for a year for the experience, and as a hands-on father, Johnson takes an active role in shuttling his daughters to and from their full schedule of sports and activities. Chani Johnson is also a successful owner of an art gallery and is looking to expand her businesses.
“Chani has always supported me to the nth degree and also at the same time had her objectives, desires and pursued her pathway and her career. I think she's optimistically cautious I follow through with this plan," Johnson told AP. "But these decisions are based around family needs and demands, and I think it gets tricky and a bit more complicated on my schedule if we can get some traction on travel and living abroad.
“But those are decisions that will come about in the next few months. And so I go into this I would say with no regrets. I look back and definitely learned lessons from what's happened, good and bad. But I don't have any pit in my stomach of something left unfinished, or any regrets I might have.” 

A totally unfiltered opinion by
Roy J. Akers

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News and Notes: Super Bowl Style

• First, it was tough watching the San Francisco- Philadelphia game. The 49ers were in trouble even before Brock Purdy was injured. It is commendable that any team can make it to the NFC Championship game with a third string quarterback let alone a fourth after the Purdy Injury. 
• What was even tougher was watching Purdy come back with a complete UCL tear. The 49ers could not pass the football and an Eagles defense bent on stopping the Eagles was already strong and just teed off on the Eagles running game knowing SF could not pass. 
• What is tough is the 49ers went from most likely dealing Trey Lance and banking on Purdy is now a crapshoot. Every time coach Kyle Shanahan and the organization want to move on from Jimmy Garappolo, injuries to his replacements keep him in the mix. The news is most NFL teams do not consider Trey Lance a good investment and at best, would give the team a mid-round pick. An NFL team keeping two young QB's is not sustainable.
• Watching the Kansas City Chiefs and Patrick Mahomes outlast the Cincinatti Bengals and without a bankable wide receiver after in game injuries showed that they are a good representative for the AFC in the upcoming Super Bowl. The Chiefs need to get some receivers back and get Mahomes some rest for his badly sprained ankle. Wonder if Tyreek Hill is smiling in Miami right now at the Chiefs misfortune or wonder what his life would be like if he was on this Super Bowl team? 

The Detroit Lions should try to trade for Rams CB Jalen Ramsey

Story by Mike Payton • 
The Detroit Lions have me thinking about the MCU right now (Marvel Cinematic Universe, for the uninitiated). You know, the one with the superheroes who are trying to save the world from the powerful Thanos. In the past, I’ve called Matt Patricia Thanos simply because it felt like he came here and snapped his fingers and half the Lions we loved were gone and Detroit was left in shambles. I still believe that’s true, but for the sake of this story, let’s talk about another Thanos—a variant of the multiverse, if you will.
In this universe, Thanos isn’t really a person. He’s more of a celestial thing that hovers over the Detroit Lions franchise like a dark cloud. For years Thanos has been inevitable for the Lions. He’s caused this team to lose in new and embarrassing ways, and he’s the reason this team has missed out on the playoffs and any glory that comes along with it.
In the last two years, the Lions have formed something of an Avengers team that’s been able to get in shots on Thanos like they never have before. They’re so close to riding themselves off that dark cloud. They’re at the end of “Avengers: Infinity War” and all they have to do to get this guy to go away is go for the head.
The Lions are in a spot right now where their defense is coming along but still needs some important pieces to take it to the next level and beyond. They’ve already attacked the defensive line through the first two years, and they have young, promising players at linebacker. That’s two spots where they’re strong. As for the secondary, there’s one go-for-the-head type of move they can make to have them in the position where they’re holding the gauntlet and snapping their fingers. That’s making another trade with the Rams, this time for All-Pro cornerback Jalen Ramsey.
I know there’s a bit of hesitancy from Lions fans about this move. I’ve been seeing the reactions to the idea on Twitter this week. The fear is that the Lions would likely have to part with a high draft pick to get it done. If that’s the case, I say make it happen.
The Lions have some things that the Rams don’t. They have a first-round draft pick. That’s something the Rams haven’t had since they selected current Lions starting quarterback Jared Goff in the 2016 NFL Draft. The Rams have sacrificed all those picks in order to build a championship team. They did that. Now they’re a team that’s more than likely headed towards a rebuild for multiple reasons that we don’t have to get into today. Matthew Stafford’s health is probably one of them though.
Related video: Former NFL Defensive End Jessie Lemonier Has Passed Away At 25 (Sports Illustrated)
The Lions hold the sixth overall pick, a pick that used to belong to the Rams. The Lions should keep that pick and offer the 18th pick to the Rams for Jalen Ramsey straight up.
Everyone gets what they want out of this deal. The Rams finally get a high-value draft pick to start rebuilding a young core of their team. They also get to free up some cap space. Unfortunately for Los Angeles, they’d still have to eat $19.6 million of his $25.2 million cap hit this year, but because they’re $14 million over the cap right now, every little bit helps.
Back on January 13, Ramsey posted a cryptic tweet that suggested his time in Los Angeles is done. So it’s possible the Rams were getting ready to move on from him anyways.
NFL insiders also believe he may be on the move. In a story by ESPN insider Jeremy Fowler, at least one NFL employee thinks the Rams would entertain a trade for Ramsey.
“[Ramsey] is one I think the Rams will at least explore [moving],” one AFC personnel director said. “He’s still a top guy, but the play has fallen off a little bit and [he] could use a change of scenery.”
The Lions get to shore up their cornerback situation damn near immediately. Sure there will still be work to do, but the Lions inherit the corner that finished with the third-highest PFF grade for corners in the NFL this season. They can pair him up with Jeff Okudah and company and still use one of their top 100 picks on another corner. Perhaps Stanford’s Kyu Blu Kelly would fit the bill. Lions defensive assistant Shaun Dion Hamilton will be working with Kelly and more corners at the Senior Bowl in a couple weeks, giving the Lions an advantage when scouting this year’s class.
As for Ramsey, he gets to go from a team that had a great culture to a team that arguably has the best culture in the league. He’ll reunite with Brad Holmes and Ray Agnew. The latter, of course, played a big role in bringing Ramsey to LA when he was the Rams director of pro personnel. On the coaching side, if Aaron Glenn remains with the Lions, Ramsey gets to work with a defensive coordinator that specializes in the defensive backs, being a former defensive back himself as well as a former defensive backs coach. He also reunites with Todd Wash, who may be coaching the defensive line now, but was the Jaguars defensive coordinator during Ramsey’s 3.5 seasons in Jacksonville.
The Lions are Thor right now. They have Thanos right where they want him. Trading for Ramsey means going for the head and ending him right now. Go this route, get Thanos off your back, and get yourself into the playoffs with possibly an NFC North title.

Lions Week 18 NFL win satisfying fans and other NFL Opinions

• The Detroit Lions week 18 win over the Green Bay Packers is probably the most satisfying win for the team to end the season since.... maybe the 1991 season when the team hosted the Dallas Cowboys and beat them at home. 
• The Lions had a 30-game losing streak at Lambeau field that ended in 2014. Since then, they are 4-2 against the Packers. Sweeping them is rarely done and to beat the Pack when all they had to do is beat the formerly lowly Lions. What was most impressive for the team is they were eliminated when the Seattle Seahawks beat the LA Rams earlier in the day and had no trouble getting up for Aaron Rodgers. 
• The Lions were basically going to pick between 5-7 no matter whether the Rams won or lost against Seattle. They are out of the running for the two top QB prospects Bryce Young of Alabama and PJ Stroud of Ohio State State and Jalen Carter, the DT from Georgia and Willie Anderson from Alabama. They will pick 6th and 18th and the team needs defense. Between now and the end of April, draft junkees like myself will absorb around 1,000 mock drafts. 
• The Houston Texans fired Lovee Smith on Sunday. They are two for two firing one and done coaches and they have been both African Americans (David Culley) was fired last year. Word is coaches are firing off resumes to the team regardless of coaching for a GM who has hired and fired 5 coaches since 2020without losing his own job. 
• NFL H-O-F Coach Tony Dungy weighed in the matter. "What are the Texans doing. What kind of operation is this where you don’t have any convictions about supporting the coaches you hire. Who is going to want to coach there if you might only get one year to implement your plans. Two years in a row is ridiculous," 
• Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh has spoken to Carolina on their head coaching position, and it is reported he will interview for the Denver head coaching position. Harbaugh wants both money and control. If he gets both, he is gone. 

     When the Detroit Lions beat the Chicago Bears to even their record at 8-8, head coach Dan Campbell was correct in saying his team played well but have played more complete games as a team in 2022. The Minnesota and Jacksonville games were their best and the NY Jets and Giants games showed the teams resilience. 

• Usually the team has complicated playoff scenarios when they are in the playoffs hunt at all. This year, the playoff scenarios for the NFC are straight forward. 
• If the Packers win, they will be the 7th seed. 
• If the Lions beat the Packers and the Seahawks lose, the Lions are in. 
• After the win over the bears, the Lions would pick 5th if the season ended after week 17 courtesy of the Rams pick. Their own pick would see them pick 17th. 
• The complicated thing is the Rams and the Seahawks play each other in week 18. If the Rams win, the pick will go down. If the Seahawks win, the Lions are out of the playoffs regardless of beating the Packers courtesy of the Lions 48-45 loss. 

the crazy stats relating to two Lions rookies are: Pass-rushers Aidan Hutchinson and James Houston have been phenomenal on their run. Hutchinson, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, is living up to pre-draft expectations for Detroit. Houston, meanwhile, was a sixth-round pick who missed much of the season due to injury. But lately, the tenacious Houston has really gotten after it on the field. And it’s showing on the stat sheet.
Per NFL345, “Lions rookies Aidan Hutchinson and James Houston are the 1st pair of rookie teammates each with 7+ sacks since 1982. Hutchinson is the 1st rookie with 7+ sacks & 3+ INTs in a season since 1982. Houston is the 3rd player with 7 sacks in his 1st 6 career games since 1982.”
​
​My bottom line is the Lions have won three of their last five at Lambeau Field after a long losing streak. It looks like Aaron Rodgers is back on form even though he has lost most of his passing targets. My best guess is this will be a very high scoring game. The Lions are more motivated than the Pack. It will come down to lady luck and it looks like the Lions finally have more talent than Green Bay. If the Lions can keep Rodgers from being one score away in the final drive, they win. If Rodgers can win it, even if behind, the Lions lose. 

A few weeks ago, overhearing talk on excited fans believing the Lions would make the playoffs, nobody was prepared for me to say that it might be best if the team did not make the postseason. 
   The comment was blasphemous to Lions fans who want the team to make the Super Bowl tournament for the first time since 2016.
 
Personally, the fan in me would yes, I would love to see the team make the playoffs and I said so but it was unlikely the team would run the table in the waning weeks on the road in 2022.
     The long-term thinking on this team believes the team, that was only 5-7 with a one in ten chance of making the playoffs at the time needs to stay hungry in 2022 with a chip on their shoulder going into the 2023 season. 

     My reasoning is that Dan Campbell would have the team's full attention in the 2022 offseason.
It would make the team a hot commodity in the 2023 free agent offseason and a destination for players that want both the money and to play for a team on the rise. 

A second reason for my delay is the Lions need draft capitol. Who would have thought before this 2022 season that the Rams pick would be more valuable than the Lions own? Before the 6-1 run, the Lions were 1-6 and were slated to draft first or second half-way through the season. The reality is with two first round picks including the Rams pick likely coming in the top five plus a top second rounder and picks from the TJ Hockenson trade, the team is poised to plug some holes and get some playmakers on mostly, the pourous defensive side of the ball. The bottom line is some of the Lions best players are coming into the league and the Carolina Panthers loss might not have been a bad thing. 
Finally, the Jared Goff situation. Goff has had a very solid year. A year where his absence from making the pro bowl was noted. He is a solid but unspectacular quarterback. He is worth a first-round pick to the right team. If management decides to flip him and ride it out with a top draft pick on a rookie deal, its worth watching. 
The real clock on the Lions begins during the 2023 season. This season's teams rise is unexpected and for me, they have been playing with house money. 
It would be great if they made the playoffs, but next year is where all of the young players need to be all in and take the franchise in a winning direction. 

Reports: College Football Playoff board approves expanded format with 12 teams

The College Football Playoff will move to 12 teams after the Board of Managers approved expansion by an unanimous vote on Friday, according to multiple reports.
The expanded format will reportedly include the six highest ranked conference champions and the rest of the field will be made up of at-large selections, after the vote by the board, which consists of presidents from each of the 10 FBS conferences and Notre Dame.
The expansion could happen as early as the end of the 2024 season, but the 12-year contract the playoffs have with ESPN doesn't expire until after the 2025 season.
From NFL plays to college sports scores, all the top sports news you need to know every day.
The current four-team format started in 2014 after decades of discontent between coaches and fans about how the national champion is decided in football. Initially determined by media and coaches poll, the Bowl Championship Series was created in 1998 to match the top two teams in one game after the regular season. That system lasted through the 2013 season before the current College Football Playoff system was used. 

The College Football Playoff logo is shown on the field at AT&T Stadium before an NCAA college football game.© Roger Steinman, APAlabama has won the most CFP championships with three, followed by Clemson with two. Ohio State, LSU and defending champion Georgia have one title each. 

By Brandon Day- Courtesy of SB Nation-Well the time has finally come. After seven years, Executive Vice-President of Baseball Operations and General Manager, Al Avila, has been fired by the Detroit Tigers. We had an inkling this was coming, but it’s still surprising to see that Team President Chris Ilitch has decided to make the move. The Tigers announced the move themselves on Wednesday afternoon.

© Mandi Wright/Detroit Free Press / USA TODAY NETWORKThe Detroit Tigers fire general manager Al AvilaAvila was promoted to the role in August of 2015, after the firing of long-time GM Dave Dombrowski by previous owner Mike Ilitch. Starting with his first full season in 2016, the Tigers have a record of 404-573 under Avila heading into Wednesday night’s matchup against Cleveland.
Avila’s hiring was supposed to initiate a new era in Tigers baseball. The idea was to construct a modern organization largely from scratch after the final years of big payrolls left the Tigers’ minor league system in terrible shape both in terms of players, personnel, and facilities. At the same time, Avila was to oversee the 2016 re-tooling in a final attempt to turn out another winner for Mike Ilitch. On every front things went very poorly.
A tacit admission of the fact came last summer, when Avila fired his long-time head of player development head, Dave Littlefield, beginning a major overhaul in coaches and decision-makers in the player development system. At the time, those major changes to the front office engaged speculation that Avila had bought himself a few more years to turn things around after pretty poor progress to that point. Unfortunately for Avila, his attempts to build a team with the potential to at least begin competing for a playoff spot fell badly flat this year, and the prospect capital built up through years of losing hasn’t produced the stockpile of high end young talent that was hoped as of yet.
Meanwhile, the fanbase finally reached the limits of its patience this season. Anger and frustration has been the theme of the 2022 season, and we can only hope now that brighter days are ahead.
There is no word on Avila’s replacement. A press conferrence is scheduled for 5:15 p.m. EDT with Ilitch to discuss the firing and the plan to move forward in finding the next general manager of the Detroit Tigers.

Lions HC Dan Campbell explains why he calls WR Josh Reynolds 'The Praying Mantis'

The Detroit Lions head coach Campbell went viral at training camp over the weekend when he revealed the funny nickname that he has for wide receiver Josh Reynolds — ‘The Praying Mantis.’
“He’s slippery, man,” said Campbell of Reynolds, per Lions writer Dave Birkett. “I call him ‘The Praying Mantis.’ He’s the spider of death. There’s something about him. Fricking serpent.”
Reynolds, who caught 19 passes for 306 yards and two touchdowns in seven games for Detroit after being acquired in the middle of last season, definitely possesses some mantis-like qualities. He is flexible, sneaks past defenders seemingly undetected and is surprisingly deadly for his size.

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